Configurable stuffed toy having adjustable appendages

ABSTRACT

A configurable stuffed toy includes a body with a head, a plurality of appendages coupled to the body and a pocket corresponding to each appendage. The pocket comprises an opening into which the corresponding appendage may be tucked and withdrawn, fully and partially, to achieve different configurations of the toy. The appendages may include a plurality of feet, a plurality of ears, a tail, a tail tip attached to a distal end of the tail, a trunk, and an extended head portion.

A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. This patent document may show and/or describe matter that is or may become a trademark and/or trade dress of the owner. The copyright, trademark and trade dress owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent files and records, but otherwise reserves all copyright, trademark and trade dress rights whatsoever.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to toys, and, more particularly, to stuffed toys having a plurality of pockets and adjustable appendages that are manually configurable to represent various creatures.

BACKGROUND

A conventional stuffed toy has a body shaped in the form of a three dimensional object or figure such as an animal. A stuffing (e.g., a soft filler material) provides the figure a three-dimensional shape as well as a certain amount of resiliency or softness.

Stuffed toys are very popular due to the softness and the pleasant appearance of the toy. They also appeal to certain aspects of human psychology. People, particularly children, are naturally predisposed to nurture and protect. Fascination with the exotic and unfamiliar has also led to the popularity of stuffed toys, especially those representing wild animals and fanciful creatures.

People, both young and old, are also fascinated by puzzles. They like to try to figure things out. The invention presented in this submission entertains both these human fascinations by providing a unique stuffed toy that can be manipulated into a variety of animal shapes limited only by one's imagination and ingenuity. Even the instructions themselves can be presented as a kind of riddle, containing clues, but not completely explaining how to change the toy from one kind of animal to another.

Such a toy would enable manual adjustment of legs, head, tail, ear, and nose structures to represent the various animals.

The toy is directed to entertaining these two fascinations in a fun and playful manner.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

To satisfy the qualities set forth above, in an exemplary implementation of the invention, a configurable stuffed toy is provided. The exemplary toy includes a body with a head, a plurality of appendages coupled to the body and a pocket corresponding to each appendage. The pocket comprises an opening into which the corresponding appendage may be tucked and withdrawn, fully and partially, to achieve different configurations of the toy. The appendages may include a plurality of feet, a plurality of ears, a tail, a tail tip attached to a distal end of the tail, a trunk, and an extended head portion.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The foregoing and other aspects, objects, features and advantages of the invention will become better understood with reference to the following description, appended claims, and accompanying drawings, where:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary stuffed toy configured as a first animal according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 2 shows a detailed sectional view 2-2 of an extended trunk and head portion of an exemplary stuffed toy configured as a first animal according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an exemplary stuffed toy configured as a second animal according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 4 shows a detailed sectional view 4-4 of a tucked trunk and head portion of an exemplary stuffed toy configured as a second animal according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 5 shows a detailed sectional view of a tucked ear and head portion of an exemplary stuffed toy configured as a first animal according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 6 shows a detailed sectional view 6-6 of a tucked tail and body portion of an exemplary stuffed toy configured as a first animal according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 7 conceptually illustrates a side view of an exemplary stuffed toy with tucked appendages according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 8 conceptually illustrates a pattern for a bottom of an exemplary stuffed toy according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 9 conceptually illustrates a pattern for a tail tip of an exemplary stuffed toy according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 10 conceptually illustrates a pattern for a tail of an exemplary stuffed toy according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 11 conceptually illustrates a pattern for a trunk of an exemplary stuffed toy according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 12 conceptually illustrates a pattern for a side of an exemplary stuffed toy according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 13 conceptually illustrates a pattern for a top of head of an exemplary stuffed toy according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 14 conceptually illustrates a pattern for an ear of an exemplary stuffed toy according to principles of the invention;

FIG. 15 conceptually illustrates a pattern for a foot of an exemplary stuffed toy according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 16 shows a perspective view of an exemplary stuffed toy configured as an elephant according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 17 shows a perspective view of an exemplary stuffed toy configured as a cow according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 18 shows a perspective view of an exemplary stuffed toy configured as a pig according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 19 shows a perspective view of an exemplary stuffed toy configured as a goldfish according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 20 shows a perspective view of an exemplary stuffed toy configured as a horse according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 21 shows a perspective view of an exemplary stuffed toy configured as a dinosaur according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 22 shows a perspective view of an exemplary stuffed toy configured as a penguin according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 23 shows a perspective view of an exemplary stuffed toy configured as a frog according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 24 shows a perspective view of an exemplary stuffed toy configured as a seal according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 25 shows a perspective view of an exemplary stuffed toy configured as a hippopotamus according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 26 shows a perspective view of an exemplary stuffed toy configured as an angel fish according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 27 shows a perspective view of an exemplary stuffed toy configured as a manatee according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 28 shows a perspective view of an exemplary stuffed toy configured as a goose according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 29 shows a perspective view of an exemplary stuffed toy configured as a bear according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 30 shows a perspective view of an exemplary stuffed toy configured as a rhinoceros according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 31 shows a perspective view of an exemplary stuffed toy configured as a rabbit according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 32 shows a perspective view of an exemplary stuffed toy configured as a dog according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 33 shows a perspective view of an exemplary stuffed toy configured as a turkey according to principles of the invention; and

FIG. 34 provides an instructional poem to playfully assist a user in configuring an exemplary stuffed toy to resemble various animals according to principles of the invention.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the figures are not intended to be drawn to any particular scale. The invention is not limited to the exemplary embodiments depicted in the figures or the animal configurations, shapes, relative sizes, proportions or materials shown in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 7, views of an exemplary stuffed toy, and portions thereof, in two different configurations according to principles of the invention are provided. FIG. 1 illustrates a first configuration, namely an elephant, while FIG. 3 illustrates a second configuration, namely a hippopotamus. Both configurations are made from the same stuffed toy by adjusting various appendages to resemble a desired creature.

The exemplary toy is formed by filling a sewn fabric form with a resilient stuffing material, creating a three-dimensional soft and resilient representation of an animal or other object. The form is comprised of multiple pieces of fabric adjoined (e.g., sewn) together, but leaving an opening through which stuffing may be inserted. The form includes a body comprised of a bottom panel 800 (FIG. 8) adjoined to side panels 1200 (FIG. 12) and a head 1300 (FIG. 13). The exemplary head includes a top panel 1300 and two side panels 1315, 1320, each having an area 1305, 1310 for attaching an ear. The side panels 1315, 1320 may be stitched to the top panel to provide a rigid sewn seam. A plurality of appendages are also attached to the body. The appendages include a tail 1000 (FIG. 10) and tip 900 (FIG. 9), a trunk 1100 (FIG. 11), ears 1400 (FIG. 14) and feet 1500 (FIG. 15).

Where two pieces of fabric are sewn together, they are sewn such that the bulky portion of the seam faces the inside of the finished form. Therefore, the form may be sewn inside out so that unfinished edges of the pieces of fabric from which the form is comprised are all located on the inside of the finished stuffed toy. Once the pieces of fabric are all sewn together into a finished form, the form is turned right side out so that the best and smooth finished side of the fabric faces outwardly and the rough seams are hidden. Next, stuffing is inserted through a stuffing opening until the inside of the form is substantially full of the stuffing material, giving the stuffed toy a resilient three-dimensional shape. After the stuffed toy is sufficiently filled with stuffing material, the remaining opening must be closed to give the stuffed toy an acceptable appearance and to prevent leakage of the stuffing material. The stuffing opening may be sewn closed from the outside of the form leaving a small exposed seam. A resilient stuffing material such as polyester-cellulose fibers and/or polystyrene beads or other filler materials may be utilized.

An important aspect of the invention is the ability to manipulate the appendages. The appendages may be rolled, wrapped, tied, knotted, tucked and manipulated in other ways to achieve a desired appearance. Maintaining the appendages substantially unfilled with stuffing facilitates manipulation. Providing pockets for tucking in appendages (as discussed below) also facilitates manipulation.

Another important aspect of the invention is maintaining pockets or cavities within the body. The pockets are comprised of openings or cavities in the body over which an appendage is attached. The interior space of an appendage is not separated from the interior space of the body by any fabric barrier. Thus, unused portions of an appendage may be tucked (i.e., folded and/or stuffed) into the pockets. By way of example, an appendage may be fully tucked into a pocket, or partially tucked into a pocket, or not tucked into a pocket at all. By rearranging the appendages, some being fully or partially tucked, or not tucked at all, or being twisted, tied, wrapped around features, or shaped, various configurations are achieved.

The toy is not overstuffed or stuffed to capacity. For that reason, ample space is provided within the body to receive tucked portions of one or more appendages. Use of stuffing sparingly also allows molding (i.e., shaping) of an appendage to achieve a desired appearance. Overstuffing or stuffing to capacity could interfere with the tucking and configuration of appendages. However, enough stuffing is used to provide a desired form and stability to the toy. Such amount of stuffing is referred to herein as an amount effective to provide stability without interfering with tucking. The actual amount in mass or volume will vary depending upon the dimensions of the toy and the stuffing used. Illustratively, if a body is filled up to almost its capacity (e.g., 25% to 95%) and the appendages are substantially unfilled, the desired stability may be attained without interfering with tucking.

Referring now to FIG. 1, a perspective view of an exemplary stuffed toy configured as a first animal (i.e., an elephant) is shown, in accordance with principles of the invention. The toy includes a body 100 having a head 105. Various appendages are attached thereto, including feet 135-150, ears 110,115, a tail 120 with a tip 130, a trunk 125, and an extended head portion 205 (FIG. 2). In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 1, the feet 135-150, ears 110,115, tail 120 and a tip 130, and trunk 125 are fully extended, meaning they are fully withdrawn from the corresponding pockets. The extended head portion 205 is tucked within a pocket 210 formed within the head 105, as shown in FIG. 2.

Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that the terminology used for appendages herein, is used for convenience of reference in relation to FIGS. 1 through 7. Thus, for example, depending upon a particular configuration, an appendage referred to as foot herein, may actually represent a fin of a fish, flippers of a seal or some other animal feature. The same is true for other appendages. They may serve many different animal features from one particular configuration to another.

Referring to FIG. 2, pocket 200 corresponds to the trunk 125, enabling the trunk 125 to be fully tucked into the pocket 200, or partially tucked into the pocket 200, or not tucked into the pocket 200 at all, as shown in the sectional view 2-2 of FIG. 2. When the trunk 125 is tucked into the pocket 200, the tucked portion of the trunk 125 is concealed within the head 105, as shown in FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a perspective view of an exemplary stuffed toy configured as a second animal (e.g., a hippopotamus) is shown, in accordance with principles of the invention. In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 3, the feet 135-150 are partially tucked. The tail 120 is tucked, but the tip 130 remains withdrawn. The ears 110 are fully tucked, meaning they are fully concealed within the head 105. Additionally, the extended head portion 205 is withdrawn.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that countless configurations may be achieved by fully or partially tucking, or not tucking at all, the appendages. Thus, the invention is not limited to the animal configurations shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

To further illustrate tucking, FIG. 5 provides a detailed sectional view of a tucked ear 110 concealed within the head 105 through corresponding pocket 505. Likewise, FIG. 6 provides a detailed sectional view of a tucked tail 120,130 concealed within the body 100 through corresponding pocket 600.

Similar pockets are provided for tucking of the entire head assembly 105, 205, including all of its appendages, and for tucking feet 135-150. Illustratively, FIG. 7 conceptually illustrates a side view of an exemplary stuffed toy with tucked appendages according to principles of the invention. The head assembly 105, 205, including all of its appendages, is concealed within the body 100 through corresponding pocket 700. The feet 135-150, are partially concealed within the body 100 through corresponding pockets 705, 710.

Referring now to FIGS. 8 through 15, patterns are conceptually shown, not to scale. The patterns are templates from which the parts of an exemplary toy may be traced onto fabric before cutting out and assembling. Illustratively, FIG. 8 provides a pattern for a bottom 800 of a body of an exemplary stuffed toy according to principles of the invention. Markings 805, 810, 815, and 820 identify points where feet 135-150 may be attached, leaving pockets 705, 710 for each foot to allow tucking the feet 135-150 into the body 100. The body is formed primarily by adjoining sides 1200 (as shown in FIG. 12) to the bottom 800. FIG. 9 conceptually illustrates a pattern for a tail tip 900 of an exemplary stuffed toy according to principles of the invention. FIG. 10 conceptually illustrates a pattern for a tail 1000 of an exemplary stuffed toy according to principles of the invention. FIG. 11 conceptually illustrates a pattern for a trunk 1100 of an exemplary stuffed toy according to principles of the invention. FIG. 12 conceptually illustrates a pattern for a side 1200 of an exemplary stuffed toy according to principles of the invention. FIG. 13 conceptually illustrates a pattern for a top of head 105 of an exemplary stuffed toy according to principles of the invention. FIG. 14 conceptually illustrates a pattern for an ear 1400 of an exemplary stuffed toy according to principles of the invention. FIG. 15 conceptually illustrates a pattern for a foot 1500 of an exemplary stuffed toy according to principles of the invention. Using the patterns, one of ordinary skill in the art may create a toy in accordance with principles of the invention.

Referring now to the instructional poem provided in FIG. 34, one of ordinary skill can readily follow the recited steps to achieve numerous configurations. By way of example, and not limitation, a toy in accordance with the principles of the invention may be configured as an elephant, as shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 16. By partially tucking the elephant's trunk to resemble a tongue and extending the extended head portion, a cow may be formed, as in FIG. 17. By partially tucking the elephant's trunk and pulling out a portion along the edges thereof to resemble a snout, extending the ears, and curling the tail, a pig may be formed, as in FIG. 18. By tucking in the elephant's trunk and head, and partially tucking the tail to form a fin, a goldfish may be formed, as in FIG. 19. By wrapping the elephant's head with ears to form a horse head, and tucking an end and middle segment of the trunk to resemble horse ears, and partially tucking the tail to resemble a horse tail, a horse may be formed, as in FIG. 20. By fully extending the horse's tail and tucking the trunk, a dinosaur may be formed, as in FIG. 21. By tucking the elephant'ss entire head (including ears and trunk), partially tucking the rear feet, and partially tucking the tail to resemble a penguin beak, a penguin may be formed, as in FIG. 22. By tucking the elephant's tail, partially tucking the ears to resemble bulging eyes, partially tucking the trunk to resemble a frog's mouth (with or without a tongue) and partially tucking the head, a frog may be formed as in FIG. 23. By wrapping the elephant'ss front feet around part of the body, tucking the trunk and extending and puffing the tail to resemble a head, a seal may be formed, as in FIG. 24. By tucking the elephant'ss trunk and extending the head, a hippopotamus may be formed, as in FIG. 25. By tucking the elephant's trunk and partially tucking the head to form a dorsal fin, tying two front feet into a knot to form a tail fin, tuck in the tail, and partially tuck and shape the rear feet to resemble ventral fins, an angel fish may be formed as in FIG. 26. By tucking the elephant's head, trunk, ears and front feet, and by tucking the tip of the tail, a manatee may be formed, as in FIG. 27. By tucking the elephant's head, trunk and front feet, and extending the ears to resemble webbed feet, and extending and folding the rear feet to resemble wings, and extending the tail and tip to resemble a beak, a goose may be formed, as in FIG. 28. By partially tucking the elephant's trunk, head and ears, and tucking the tail and tip, a bear may be formed, as in FIG. 29. By partially extending the bear's tail, ears and head and extending the trunk to form a horn, a rhinoceros may be formed, as in FIG. 30. By wrapping the trunk around crossed extended ears to form a neck, and by partially extending the tail and front feet, a rabbit may be formed, as in FIG. 31. By partially tucking the elephant's trunk and extending only the tip of the tail, a dog may be formed, as in FIG. 32. By tucking the head but extending the ears to form tail feathers, extending the tip and part of the tail to resemble a head and beak, and tucking the front feet, a turkey may be formed, as in FIG. 33.

In sum, a variety of animals can be made from a single toy in accordance with the invention. The animals are formed without the use of buttons, hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro®, snaps, pins or hooks. The animals are formed by simply manipulating (e.g., wrapping, tucking, tying, twisting and pulling) the appendages into a desired shape. Though countless other creature configurations may be possible, those described herein demonstrate the toy's versatility.

Although the invention has been described in its preferred form with a certain degree of particularity, it is understood that the present disclosure of the preferred form can be changed in the details of construction and in the combination and arrangement of parts without departing from the spirit and the scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed. The physical embodiments described above merely exemplify the invention, which may be embodied in other specific structure within spirit and scope of the claims appended hereto. 

1. A configurable stuffed toy comprising a body including a head, a plurality of appendages coupled to the body and a pocket corresponding to each appendage, said pocket comprising an opening into which the corresponding appendage may be tucked and withdrawn, fully and partially, to achieve different configurations of the toy.
 2. A configurable stuffed toy according to claim 1, wherein said appendages include a plurality of feet.
 3. A configurable stuffed toy according to claim 1, wherein said appendages include a plurality of ears.
 4. A configurable stuffed toy according to claim 1, wherein said appendages include a tail.
 5. A configurable stuffed toy according to claim 4, wherein said appendages include a tail tip attached to a distal end of said tail.
 6. A configurable stuffed toy according to claim 1, wherein said appendages include a trunk.
 7. A configurable stuffed toy according to claim 1, wherein said appendages include an extended head portion.
 8. A configurable stuffed toy according to claim 1, wherein said appendages include a component from the group consisting of a plurality of feet, a plurality of ears, a tail and a tail tip attached to a distal end of said tail, a trunk, an extended head portion.
 9. A configurable stuffed toy comprising a body including a head, a plurality of appendages coupled to the body and a pocket corresponding to each appendage, said pocket comprising an opening into which the corresponding appendage may be tucked and withdrawn, fully and partially, to achieve different configurations of the toy, said toy further including an amount of stuffing effective to provide stability without interfering with tucking.
 10. A configurable stuffed toy according to claim 9, wherein said appendages include a plurality of feet.
 11. A configurable stuffed toy according to claim 9, wherein said appendages include a plurality of ears.
 12. A configurable stuffed toy according to claim 9, wherein said appendages include a tail.
 13. A configurable stuffed toy according to claim 12, wherein said appendages include a tail tip attached to a distal end of said tail.
 14. A configurable stuffed toy according to claim 9, wherein said appendages include a trunk.
 15. A configurable stuffed toy according to claim 9, wherein said appendages include an extended head portion.
 16. A configurable stuffed toy according to claim 9, wherein said appendages include a component from the group consisting of a plurality of feet, a plurality of ears, a tail and a tail tip attached to a distal end of said tail, a trunk, an extended head portion. 